The Brooklyn Nets are back in a familiar spot - searching for answers. After a promising December stretch where the defense finally started clicking and wins followed, the wheels have come off again.
Brooklyn has dropped 10 of its last 12 games, and this recent slide hasn’t exactly come against the league’s elite. Six of those losses came against teams currently outside the playoff picture, including a rough one to the Wizards - a team sitting below the Nets in the Eastern Conference standings.
That kind of skid is tough to ignore, and it’s likely to have ripple effects as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches. With their postseason hopes slipping further out of reach, the Nets are shaping up to be sellers - and they’ve got some intriguing pieces that could draw attention from contenders.
The biggest name in the rumor mill? Michael Porter Jr.
The versatile forward has reportedly attracted significant interest from teams with championship aspirations. He’s the kind of player who can slide into a playoff rotation and make an immediate impact, especially with his ability to stretch the floor and create mismatches.
But the more fascinating storyline might be Cam Thomas. At just 24 years old, Thomas already has 30 career 30-point games under his belt - a rare scoring résumé for someone his age.
And yet, despite averaging over 22 points per game in each of the past two seasons, he’s found himself coming off the bench since returning from injury. That’s raised some eyebrows around the league, especially given his proven ability to light it up in a hurry.
Thomas’ situation is layered. His scoring talent is undeniable, but his role in Brooklyn has become murky. Add in a contract that pays him just under $6 million this season - a number that makes him an easy fit into most trade scenarios - and you’ve got a player who’s not just intriguing, but highly movable.
League insiders believe a split is inevitable. Whether it’s at the deadline or over the summer, the expectation is that Thomas won’t be wearing a Nets jersey next season.
That puts pressure on Brooklyn’s front office to act now. If they know he’s not part of the long-term plan, the smart move is to get something in return while they still can.
The Nets are clearly at a crossroads. The promise of December feels like a distant memory, and the current trajectory suggests a reset is in order.
With veterans like Porter Jr. drawing interest and young scorers like Thomas potentially on the move, Brooklyn has a real opportunity to reshape its roster - not just for this season, but for the future. The question now is whether they’ll seize it before the deadline clock runs out.